LONDON—This is not the Buckingham Palace you’re used to—nary a changing-of-the-guards ceremony in sight. Monday night saw the Palace transform, putting on what was quite possibly the greatest concert in this city’s history. It was an awe-inspiring display of pomp and ceremony, a heartwarming nod to British history and tradition while also embracing the young, the modern, and the new. The Daily Mailrevealed that an astonishing 14.7 million people tuned in to watch the performance, with a peak of 16.9 million as the Queen lit the national beacon. Twelve-thousand tickets to the event were given out by lottery, but those who didn’t win were not deterred, as an additional 500,000 people watched on large, temporary flat-screens around St. James’s Park and the Mall.

As for the music, sure Her Majesty was sporting a pair of vibrant yellow earplugs, but for most it was a once-in-a-lifetime feast for the ears: Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, and many others. The young royals—Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Zara, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie—looked to be having the time of their lives, laughing, cheering, and waving about a small Union Jack. Kate wore a last-season Whistles dress with a McQueen coat, laughing and smiling heartily with her brother-in-law and husband.

Also in attendance were Prime Minister David Cameron, who read from the New Testament, Romans 12:1–18, as well as the archbishop, who gave a heartfelt speech recalling the moment when Elizabeth received the difficult news that her father had died and she would ascend the throne. “What we remember is the simple statement of commitment made by a very young woman, away from home, suddenly and devastatingly bereaved, a statement that she would be there for those she governed, that she was dedicating herself to them,” he said.

Tuesday afternoon, the Queen passed through Whitehall at the Mall in a ceremonial carriage as part of the weekend’s last formal procession, and the entire family gathered on the balcony of the palace to wave. Pip-pip!